seoplus+ host 100 Men Who Care Ottawa

For over a decade, 100 Men Who Care Ottawa has been a quiet yet powerful force for good in our community, driven by a simple but effective formula: goodwill. Through small but consistent donations, the grassroots group has given $277,000 to more than 100 local charities.

Last night, members — both longtime and new — came together to support two more causes: the Parkdale Food Centre and its efforts to combat food insecurity through its community-based grocery program, and Waupoos Family Farm, which offers the closest thing to a vacation that some families may ever get.

The evening was proudly hosted by fast-growing digital marketing agency seoplus+ at its office at Lansdowne Park. The company, which helps businesses increase their online presence, was represented by co-founder and CEO Eddy Abounehme and his team.?

“What’s most inspiring about tonight is the simplicity of the idea,” said Abounehme while welcoming the 100 MWC group. “We bring people together, pool our resources, and create meaningful change. It’s a reminder that making an impact doesn’t always require complex strategies or big institutions.

“Sometimes, all it takes is a room full of people who care and who are willing to take action.”

The event sponsor was Arbor Memorial Inc. , represented by regional manager Luke McEachnie , along with John Laframboise and Nicholas Brown . From OPES Family Advisory was its founder and portfolio manager, Dean Trudeau, CFP, CIM , who’s made a three-year commitment to support the 100 Men Who Care movement.

Sixty men (with the collective heart of 100) attended. They spent an hour mingling over wine, beer and food before hearing from representatives of the invited charities speak about the work they’re doing in the community, followed by a Q&A. After the presentations, attendees were encouraged to give at least $100, with the option to direct their contributions to one or both of the charities.

For 100 Men Who Care Ottawa volunteer chair Ron Smith , the gathering is a "heartwarming” evening where “wonderful people” come together to network and connect before focusing on local charities in need of support. “It’s just a very, very important couple of hours, four times a year — not a big time commitment,” said Smith.

He was joined by his fellow board members, including mortgage broker Bill Gosewitz , who was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community work.

Among the attendees was 100 Men Who Care Ottawa co-founder Brian Boucher, ICD.D , vice president of commercial and residential fuels at MacEwen Petroleum. “I never miss it; I go to every event,” said Boucher, who remains proud of the impact 100 Men Who Care has had — not only on the charities it supports but also in engaging more men with philanthropy.

100 MWC Ottawa was launched in 2014, the same year as its female counterpart, 100 Women Who Care Ottawa.

Representing the Parkdale Food Centre were board chair and lawyer Alexander Wilson , treasurer Ruth Bengough , and communications and fundraising consultant Spencer Tittley. Tittley reported that PFC now serves approximately 1,650 individuals — referred to as "neighbours"— each month, a significant increase from about 900 in 2019.

It's Mino'Weesini Grocery Program, at 5 Hamilton Ave. N., is a way of providing food with dignity and choice, Tittley explained. "We don't want our neighbours having to line up for a box of food that doesn't fit their cultural needs, their nutritional needs."

He emphasized that systemic reforms are needed to tackle the underlying issues of food security, such as unaffordable housing, escalating food prices, and other contributing factors.

The presentation from Waupoos Family Farm was particularly eye-opening in better understanding the challenges others face. Located near Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock Ottawa, the farm takes care of five furnished cottages, which it rents out for a nominal fee during the summer and holidays to low-income families, including single mothers, new immigrants, refugees, families living in social housing, and those referred by the Children's Aid Society (CAS) and other agencies.

Waupoos is a "hand-to-mouth organization" that's currently dealing with a broken-down tractor — a vital piece of equipment for running its operation, said administrator Cathy Philpott.?While rooted in Catholicism, Waupoos is open to all families in need.

Visitors have access to an inground swimming pool, sports, games and such group activities as roasting marshmallows around a campfire.

“Poverty doesn’t just mean a lack of material things; it also means a lack of opportunities,” said Philpott.?

The room heard how the volunteer-driven organization strives to create a space where families can enjoy making memories together. “For some families, their neighbourhood is rough, and just going outside to play is not an option,” said farm resident Emily Friesen, while casually mentioning that, earlier that afternoon, she'd been wearing rain boots and busy loading a wood boiler.

She shared a story that was both “cute and sad at the same time” involving a little girl who told them last summer how she wanted to one day bring her own children to Waupoos.?

“She’s expressing that she loves it here, which I’m thankful for, but you also look at this little girl and hope that she has other options for her children.”